Planned Parenthood Advocate

A Huge Victory for Women!

After a massive outpouring of concern from Planned Parenthood supporters, President Obama has rejected efforts to cut off access to birth control for millions of women! Sign our thank-you card to President Obama.

Today United States Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius/the Obama administration announced that it will make no changes to the birth control coverage benefit under the Affordable Care Act. This decision is grounded in sound medical science and health policy and protects access to affordable birth control for millions of women, including women who are employed by a religiously affiliated hospital, university, or other religiously affiliated organization that serves the broader public.

Birth control is not just basic health care for women; it is an economic concern. This commonsense decision means that millions of women who would otherwise pay $15 to $50 a month will have access to affordable birth control, helping them save hundreds of dollars each year.

This benefit does not require that anyone dispense or use birth control.  It is simply a benefit that ensures women have adequate health insurance coverage that includes affordable birth control.

This policy represents one of the greatest advancements for women’s health in decades and ensures that millions of women will have access to affordable birth control. Thank you President Obama! Sign our thank-you card today.

Obama’s job plan and women’s health

Last night, President Obama spoke to the Joint Session and to the American people and shared his plan for spurring job growth in the U.S. What does this have to do with women’s health? CEO and President of Planned Parenthood Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota (PPMNS), Sarah Stoesz, explains:
 

“PPMNS’ health clinics are seeing firsthand the costs of today’s economic challenges. Many of our patients are seeking out Planned Parenthood for affordable, essential health services because they simply have nowhere else to turn after being laid off, losing insurance, or failing to find jobs with benefits.

“Women are coming in for critical preventive services, such as breast exams, birth control and Pap tests that cannot be put off, even if they don’t have insurance. “As a trusted provider who has seen one in five American women at some point in her life, we know that creating middle-class jobs will help increase access to health care.

“President Obama’s plan would mean that more women and families will have quality jobs with health insurance, and we hope that Congress will answer his call to act and get our economy moving again.”

Contact: Jen Aulwes, Director of Media Relations, 651.755.9557

Obama administration sending strong message on clinic violence

Whether you agree with the critiques or not, Obama has been getting a lot of flak from all sides of the political spectrum.  But the fact is that on the issue of women’s health, Obama has been doing a lot of great work.  Most recently, the Obama administration  has made protecting abortion clinics from protesters that illegally obstruct access to clinic grounds a priority at the Department of Justice.

Mother Jones reports that while lawmakers continue to attack abortion clinics through legislation that makes abortions incredibly inaccessible, there have also been more violent attacks on clinics.

President Obama's Successes

Lately, there has been a lot of attention in the media about the “failure” of the Obama administration.  Sometimes one even hears progressive and pro-choicers engaging in the same kind of critiques. Of course it’s okay to be critical, but in two years have we already forgotten how far we’ve come since the Bush Administration? George W. Bush’s administration brought a whole new meaning to the word failure!  The fact is that Obama has had many achievements, several of historic proportions. His leadership has really put the PROGRESS in progressive! Last week, President Obama celebrate the second anniversary of his inauguration and Organizing for America published “Promises Kept,” a report featuring the major accomplishments achieved in Obama’s first two years. Here our my a couple of my favorites as they relate to reproductive health, and equality:  
 
Health Care Reform:
“The Affordable Care Act provides stability and security to Americans who have insurance and provides affordable options for those who don’t. It lowers costs for families, businesses, and America as a whole, provides the largest middle-class tax cut for health care in our history, and puts an end to the worst insurance industry abuses.”
 
This legislation extends health care coverage, including family planning, to millions of women and families and guarantees affordable life-saving screenings for cervical cancer, breast cancer, and other serious health issues.  It will also protect women against gender discrimination by private insurers.
 
Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act
“The Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act makes it easier for women to challenge unequal pay practices, which helps all Americans earn a fair wage.”

Currently women only make 78 cents to the dollar when compared with their male counterpart, and in this economy where there are more women who are the sole earners for their household, this bill is an important step toward achieving gender equity, and supporting women and families.
 
“Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” Repeal
“President Obama signed legislation that will bring an end to 'Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,' strengthening our national security and ending this discriminatory law.”

We have a long way to go before we end discrimination based on sexual-orientation, but the repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t tell is another step toward equality.
 
These aren’t the only things President Obama has done to improve reproductive health and equality! In Obama's first 100 days, Obama repealed the global gag rule; overturned a midnight HHS regulation; moved away from supporting abstinence-only education; expanded access to family planning; restored access to affordable birth control; formed a Whitehouse Council on women and girls; nominated advocates for women’s health like Hillary Clinton and Kathleen Sebelius to key positions within his cabinet; and expanded access to emergency contraception. Not too bad for the first 100 days!  And let’s not forget about his two female appointees to the Supreme Court!
 
Of course there is still much work to be done, but President Obama has taken major strides and I am pleased with all that’s been done on behalf of reproductive rights, health, and equality. 
 
Download the report to check out the rest of his broader accomplishments. 

 

-Karina, Web Editor, Planned Parenthood Advocate

VIDEO Inside the President's health care reform rally in Minneapolis

by Karina

Web Editor
Planned Parenthood Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota Action Fund

Last week, we shared a video of our own Tim Stanley talking about Planned Parenthood’s role in the health care reform debate at a visibility event the Planned Parenthood Action Fund held outside of the Target Center.  Planned Parenthood supporters had gathered outside President Obama’s health care reform rally to show all who attended that women’s health matters.
 
After the visibility event, many of our supporters headed inside to see President Obama speak and attend the rally.
 
Check out this video, shot from the floor of the Target center, to see what the rally was like!

Thanks to all those who attended!!

You can subscribe to our videos and audio podcasts by subscribing to our podcast in itunes. 

Looking for ways to get involved? 

1.     Tell us your story: Politicians need to hear real stories to understand the importance of improving women's health, so  we are collecting stories! Have you been to Planned Parenthood? Have you received free or affordable birth control? How about an annual exam, STI test, or a cervical cancer screening?  Tell us your story and why Planned Parenthood was an important health care provider for you.

2.    Write a Letter to the Editor: If you've been reading your local newspaper, you've probably noticed that there's an awful lot of crazy things being said about women's health, family planning, birth control, and abortion—- can you help us dispel the misinformation by writing a letter to the editor? Contact Sally at shassell@ppmns.org , so that we can contact you when come across a letter that requires a pro-choice response chock full of some good ol' fashioned facts. Contact Sally.

3.    Email Congress: and tell them that you won’t support health care reform that leaves women worse off than they are now. More info.